For network professionals to be able to document their OSP networks effectively, they need a specialized software solution that addresses the drawbacks highlighted with the traditional approach.
PATCH MANAGER is the leading software solution for cable and network asset management, and is designed at the core to support both outside and inside plant networks. PATCH MANAGER assists you to plan and troubleshoot by providing detailed modeling, visualization and reporting on all aspects of your end-to-end physical layer network infrastructure.
This article discusses the drawbacks of certain traditional approaches to documenting an OSP network and describes the benefits of taking an alternative approach by incorporating a specialized software solution into your tool set.
There are many important aspects to be considered during the design, planning, management and maintenance of an OSP network. Among the challenges faced by an OSP network professional are how to:
Documentation is an integral part of these processes, but it is often overlooked. For an OSP network professional, it is vital to be able to visualize and report on their network assets and connectivity in order to address these challenges. Traditionally, network assets and connectivity have been tracked in a combination of spreadsheets, CAD drawings and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Let’s dive into some of the issues encountered with this traditional approach:
Read more: Outside Plant & the Internet of Things
Spreadsheets are on-the-face-of-it ‘simple’ and ‘familiar’, but in an environment where detail and accuracy matters, they turn out to be error-prone, hard to maintain and provide no controlled means for change planning or tracking.
As a typical example, consider the scope for typo errors occurring when trying to plan changes to end-to-end port and splice connectivity mappings in spreadsheets. The consequences of the errors are ‘simple’ – the network connectivity data is inaccurate, and therefore can’t be relied upon for fieldwork or troubleshooting.
CAD drawings are just that- drawings, and in terms of documenting network assets and connectivity, GIS systems are little more than advanced geographical drawings. Drawings may have their place in a static environment, but in a dynamic operational environment, the data that can be represented in a drawing is superficial and not fit for purpose. For example, consider if the layout of the fiber trunk cables in your network is maintained in CAD drawings. The cables would be illustrated in the drawings as graphical lines, perhaps with some notes or attributes tagged against them. The drawings thus provide a decent static representation of the cable routes, but they don’t constitute a useful operational database. They don’t provide crucial operational information such as:
In short, for network asset and connectivity management/troubleshooting, CAD drawings and GIS systems are ‘operationally useless’, as coined by one of our fiber operator customers.
In addition to the drawbacks discussed above, none of the traditional approaches are conducive to:
For network professionals to be able to document their OSP networks effectively, they need a specialized software solution that addresses the drawbacks highlighted with the traditional approach. In summary, a software solution that:
PATCH MANAGER is the leading software solution for cable and network asset management, and is designed at the core to support both outside and inside plant networks. PATCH MANAGER assists you to plan and troubleshoot by providing detailed modeling, visualization and reporting on all aspects of your end-to-end physical layer network infrastructure.
Out-of-the-box, PATCH MANAGER seamlessly integrates with standard GIS protocols, whereby geographical maps from your GIS system or public map services can be linked into PATCH MANAGER within a few clicks. Network locations and components in PATCH MANAGER are then represented according to their exact geographical position. They are managed according to the full power of the PATCH MANAGER feature set, instead of being managed as mere geographical symbols in a GIS system.
PATCH MANAGER helps you to manage your change processes and audits through work orders and customizable work flows, and provides an extensive REST API for enterprise and engineering system integration.
If you would like to know more about PATCH MANAGER’s features and benefits, request a personal online demo here!
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Since our founding in 2002, we have been continuously committed to product excellence and customer service. With our software development expertise, coupled with our full understanding of the complexity of the domain, we created PATCH MANAGER, a comprehensive cable and asset management solution. PATCH MANAGER is a vital component in making your IT infrastructure more efficient and hassle-free. At Patchmanager B.V., we value longstanding and durable relationships with our customers and partners.
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As a templates engineer at Patchmanager B.V., you will be creating high-quality templates of network components based on manufacturer specifications for our PATCH MANAGER product. You will work in a dynamic environment and be part of an inspiring team.
For this position, we value your desire to learn and attention to detail more than your work experience and educational background. We will provide you with all the training you need to create high-quality templates!
Since our founding in 2002, Patchmanager B.V. is an established company specialized in Cable and Asset Management Software. From our head office in Amsterdam and offices of international resellers, we offer solutions to a rapidly growing international customer base across a wide variety of market sectors. We operate with a flexible, customer-focused culture and take pride in exceeding customer expectations with our product, the support we provide and the services we offer.
To strengthen the team, there is a vacancy for a templates engineer. As a templates engineer, you will be responsible for the production of accurate, detailed and high-quality interactive templates of network components.
Send your CV and motivation to info@patchmanager.com.
Wouldn’t you like to make graphics that will be used and appreciated by some of the world’s most well-known organizations? This is your chance!
As a graphics engineer, you will be a driving force behind PATCH MANAGER customer satisfaction. Your graphics will directly contribute to the success of our product and be used by our customers around the globe. You will work in a dynamic environment and be part of an inspiring team.
Since our founding in 2002, Patchmanager B.V. is an established company specialized in Cable and Asset Management Software. From our head office in Amsterdam and offices of international resellers, we offer solutions to a rapidly growing international customer base across a wide variety of market sectors. We operate with a flexible, customer-focused culture and take pride in exceeding customer expectations with our product, the support we provide and the services we offer.
To strengthen the team, there is a vacancy for a graphics engineer. As a graphics engineer, you will be responsible for the illustration of accurate, detailed, and high-quality images for templates of network components.
Send your CV and motivation to info@patchmanager.com.
Be the driving force behind PATCH MANAGER customer satisfaction!
Since our founding in 2002, Patchmanager B.V. is an established company specialized in Cable and Asset Management Software. From our head office in Amsterdam and offices of international resellers we offer solutions to a rapidly growing international customer base across a wide variety of market sectors. We operate with a flexible, customer-focused culture and take pride in exceeding customer expectations with our product, the support we provide and the services we offer.
To strengthen the team, there is a vacancy arisen for a Software Solution Consultant. As a Software Solution Consultant you will be responsible for the successful implementation of the PATCH MANAGER software at prospective clients and customers.
Send your CV and motivation to info@patchmanager.com.
Be the driving force behind the growth of PATCH MANAGER!
Since our founding in 2002, Patchmanager B.V. is an established company specialized in Cable and Asset Management Software. From our head office in Amsterdam and offices of international resellers we offer solutions to a rapidly growing international customer base across a wide variety of market sectors. We operate with a flexible, customer-focused culture and take pride in exceeding customer expectations with our product, the support we provide and the services we offer.
To further strengthen growth PATCH MANAGER is looking for a Commercial Lead. As Commercial Lead you will be (end) responsible for further international growth with the opportunity to in time become a member of the Management Team.
Develop and Execute Strategic Sales Plans:
Set-up and optimize B2B Marketing:
Drive Direct Sales Efforts:
Lead Partner Channel Program:
Cross-functional Collaboration:
Market Analysis and Reporting:
Send your CV and motivation to info@patchmanager.com.